Torii Hunter donated $50,000 to O.C. kids and anti-gang programs

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2012

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

ANGELS OUTFIELDER TORII HUNTER MAKES PERSONAL $50,000 DONATION IN SUPPORT OF ORANGE COUNTY KIDS AND ANTI-GANG PROGRAMS

ANAHEIM – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angels) outfielder Torii Hunter surprised the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) today with a $50,000 donation from his personal account to the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) to keep Orange County kids in school and out of gangs.

Hunter presented Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas with the sizable donation and expressed his belief that OC GRIP is not only effective at gang prevention, but important to both him and the community in ensuring that the youth of Orange County have bright, positive futures. All of the money will go directly to programs benefitting students in the targeted OC GRIP areas.

Hunter, who was introduced to GRIP in 2008 by Angels Vice President of Communications Tim Mead, speaks to more than 1,000 students each year at the annual GRIP Angels incentive game and has participated in a GRIP promotional video for thousands of students at targeted schools.

“I am awe-struck and immensely grateful for Torii’s generosity,” said District Attorney Rackauckas. “Torii hasn’t just made a donation to these at-risk students, he has made an investment in their futures. He has shown through his commitment to these kids that he is truly in a league of his own.”

Multiple community partners have donated time and goods to GRIP, but Hunter’s donation is the first-ever financial contribution to be made to the OCDA for OC GRIP from a private donor.

The award-winning OC GRIP is a law enforcement partnership that identifies at-risk youth and aims to increase school attendance and decrease gang activity. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has formed OC GRIP committees with the police and sheriff’s department from the Cities of Buena Park, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Orange, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Stanton, and unincorporated North Orange County.

OC GRIP has been the recipient of the Cities Counties and Schools Partnership Award and the California State Association of Counties Challenge Merit Award, and works with 43 schools on gang suppression, interventions for at-risk students, gang information forums and parent and faculty education.

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